10 Easy Tips for Hosting a Stunning I DO BBQ Shower

Crowning Details has received payment, trade and/or products for this post. However, I only promote products I love and all opinions stated are my own.

In the South, the I Do BBQ is a popular bridal shower theme, used both for traditional showers and couples themes. I love how versatile the I Do BBQ theme is, with its traditional color palette, patterns and textures, and iconic BBQ imagery. We are sharing 10 easy tips for hosing an I Do BBQ bridal shower, and can’t wait to see what you create!

10 Easy Tips for Hosting an I Do BBQ Bridal Shower

1. Secure the Venue

So many party planning details can be taken care of right up until the date itself, but if you are hosting an event at a venue, that reservation needs to be booked well in advance.

2. Invite the Guests

Once you select an invitation design, send it either electronically or in printed format to your guest list. Ideally, send your invitations out 3-4 weeks prior to the event date for the best overall response.

3. Keep Guests Cool

For an outdoor event, particularly during warmer months, offer a way for them to cool down; shade, ice cold beverages and personal fans each offer a bit of relief from the weather.

4. It’s in the Details

Choose a few details to personalize throughout the event’s decor. Custom labels for items such as drink glasses, party favors or printed materials all offer a great way to add a personalized touch for any event.

5. Choose a Menu with Variety

When serving lunch or dinner to party guests, be sure to offer a variety of choices. For example, offer a vegetarian option such as a salad in addition to proteins at a BBQ. When selecting sides, consider 3-5 options to pair with the main menu item.

6. Layer Place Settings

For visual interest, layer your place settings. We layered our charger, dinner plate and salad plate, using different textures and colors for a fun visual effect.

7. Go Disposable

For easy clean up, consider upscale disposable tableware.

8. Invest the Budget in the Most Memorable Items

When planning a bridal shower, I typically begin working backwards when it comes to the budget. After deciding on an overall number between all of the hostesses, we work to choose where to apply those funds. I often opt to invest the budget in décor items that are most memorable, such as personalized details and florals. For items such as a cake, you can take something very budget friendly such as a store bought cake and dress up with greenery/florals and a cake topper. For a more budget friendly option for invitations, you could also send your design electronically versus professionally printing. Choose where to invest the dollars for the most bang for your buck, then look for DIY projects and more affordable options for the other event components.

9. Add Floral Details

Flowers add a wonderful level of freshness, and softness for any event. For our I DO BBQ centerpiece, we choose a long, rectangular container in keeping with our table’s shape, then filled with a looser style arrangement using white flowers and greenery. We used leftover flowers in a small vase on the cake table and greenery for our store bought cake.

10. Choose Practical Party Favors

Our bridal shower guests each took home personalized jars of honey, which were not only in keeping with our I DO BBQ theme, but a fun, practical treat.

We hope our simple ideas for putting together an I DO BBQ bridal shower are helpful, and inspiring. We can’t wait to see what you create next!

Vendor Credits

Styling & Invitation: Crowning Details
Flowers: HEB Blooms
Tablecloth/Runner: CV Linens
Paper Plates & Silverware: Sophistiplate
Cake Topper, Paper Fans, Mason Jars, Labels & Honey Jar Favors: Kate Aspen
Rentals: Any Occasion Party Rentals
Photographer: Paige Baker Photo
Venue: Ashelynn Manor